When is Professional Computer Repair Advisable? by Joe Duchesne
There are many computer repairs that the average person can perform without much problem. Things like installing CD-ROM drives, sound cards and other expansion cards don't take much computer knowledge. How can you know though when you are over your head and need professional computer help? ... There was a time when something like this was advanced but with modern Microsoft operating systems like Windows XP and Windows Vista, operating system installations are not as advanced as they used to be. ... Some intermediate repairs include replacing your hard drive and installing an operating system.

Computers at War in the 70's and 80's by John Gibb
The ‘70s and the ‘80s could be easily described as the ‘computer war’. Every company had a new kind of computer, better than the last that they wanted to change the world. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before one was adopted as the standard, with all the advantages for software... IBM went to a small company named Microsoft to get an operating system for this computer, and ended up with DOS, but Microsoft was willing to license DOS to anyone else who paid their fee. ... Software makers could finally write their programs for one operating system and one hardware configuration –...

How to Survive an Operating System Crash by Patty Gale
"We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows could not be accessed or located." It happens to the best of us. A complete operating system failure. One day you might turn on your p.c. and that dreadful message is on your screen as plain as day. You don't know what you could have possibly... The actual repair or reinstall of your operating system may simple or it may be complicated. ... You need to be back up and running as quickly as possible in the event of an operating system crash. ... Something like an operating system failure can literally put home business owners out of business...

What is Virtualization? by Matt Peterson
There is a lot of buzz going around about Virtualization. What is Virtualization, and what benefits does it provide? In this article we will take a look at the technology to see how it can provide a great deal of flexibility and cost effectiveness for IT professionals and software developers. ... You configure your virtual machine settings on the host computer, install the operating system and you are ready to go. ... This master image can be a fully configured machine, with the operating system and all required applications installed.

How Computer Hard Disk Data Recovery Works by Steven Harney
If you have ever wanted to know how data recovery works, I will provide you with an overview. Opposite to what you may think, when you erase a single file, it does not undergo the digital equivalent of shredding. Instead, all that happens is the reference to the written document is removed from... So the single file still exists but the operating system does not know where to look for it because it has been removed and as such just can't be detected. ... Even so, data recovery specialists can rebuild the file index that the operating system needs to locate your computers file.

Do You Need A New Computer by Jakob Culver
Technology is moving at a fast pace, and to keep in tune with the latest technologies one needs to constantly upgrade the existing system! We provide you with the checklist that will prove to be informative while buying a new computer or at least making a decision! ... Operating system If you are a proud owner of Windows 95/98 (or older operating systems!) then let us tell you that old operating systems won't allow you to add on scanners, printers, or dig cams. ... And always remember that buying cheap something like computer will certainly land you in troubles, and it is always...

Do I Really Need To Clean The Windows Registry? by Bill Stafford
The registry file in the Windows operating system is a large file or database where the Windows Operating system stores all the parameters it needs to operate properly. Every time a program is accessed or called up, the registry file is read, and from there all the various parameters and... Since the entries in the registry are all necessary for the smooth operation of the operating system, inadvertently deleting the wrong entry may end up crippling the system and may cause some real problems for the user.

An Overview of CompTIA Certification Programs by Natalie Aranda
High-tech is often associated with computers or information technology (IT). IT has transformed the way we live and the way we conduct businesses. A well-established certification program is often the indication of maturity of an industry or profession. ... It is primarily designed for qualification of a computer technician though many organization utilize the A+ certification training to help their employee to acquire the basic knowledge of computer hardware and operating systems. ... The actual certification includes the A+ Hardware Exam and the A+ Operating System Technologies Exam,...

Buying a Refurbished PC by Dave Stewart
Refurbished desktop computers are essentially second hand pc's. Refurbished desktop computers come from two main sources, returns and trade-ins. These days the majority of manufacturers recycle their returned stock, whether they were considered faulty by the consumer or returned for other reasons. ... Simplistically when a manufacturer refurbishes a computer they; Clean the machine and peripherals Test each component individually to verify that they still function properly Format every hard drive, to remove any data stored on them Assemble the parts to form a 'new' refurbished...

Small Wonders: Single Board Computers by Paolo Basauri
What are Single Board Computers When most people think of computers, the image of a PC or laptop comes to mind. Some may even recall the football field size computers of the 1960's and 70's before the emergence of the PC. Very few people would picture single board computers , even if there was... While these tiny computers can host a full size operating system such as Windows XP, most SBC's have internal operating systems that take up much less space. ... Simpler operating systems equal a lower cost per computer.